Can you describe your backyard before the transformation?

To call this area a “yard” would be very generous. The outdoor space was almost completely covered in concrete, except for a few small holes for trees to poke out of and a weird corner where our tenant’s dog uses the bathroom. On top of the lack of greenery, the fence butts up against four different neighbors’ backyards. One neighbor in particular has an unsightly roofline.

What was the reason for your transformation?

I wanted to add value to the back house. In Los Angeles, you don’t get a lot of square footage for your money, but we’re fortunate to have great weather most of the year, so the idea of wasted outdoor space felt terrible to me.

When planning your space, what were some of the main considerations?

Covering up unpleasant views and adding greenery so people would actually want to spend time out there were my main considerations. Veradek had the perfect solutions with their privacy screens and extra-large planters that can handle large, mature plants.

What are some of your favourite details about Veradek Outdoor's Corten Steel products?

The Corten Steel Series is absolutely beautiful. We’ve really enjoyed watching it change from its raw state to its rusted finish with the weather. The quality is amazing — both the planters and the privacy screens are heavy-duty; they aren’t going anywhere, no matter how hard the wind blows.

If you had to use three words to describe the style of your transformation, what would they be?

Three words that always describe anything I style at home are: functional, cozy, and welcoming. Because of the limited space, everything I invest in has to be functional. Comfort is a must — if it’s not, what’s the point? I want others to feel relaxed in any space I create, like they were considered from the word go.

Can you share 1 pro tip for designing an outdoor space?

Always pay for irrigation. It doesn't have to be fancy, we have a hose bibb irrigation system for one of the planters. There’s nothing worse than wasting money on buying new plants every few months which is wasteful but also you never end up with the look you’re going for if the plants keep dying and never mature.

What is your go-to backyard anthem for 2022?

Oh gosh, I’m going to age myself, but my go-to playlist for outdoor hangs with friends always starts with anything by A Tribe Called Quest because of the chill-but-happy vibes.

What are some of your favourite elements?

The thing that made the space feel strange to begin with — the segmented areas and odd shapes — is actually what I ended up loving. Now each space feels like its own room: an intimate seating nook, a dining area, and a living room. The fact that the areas are slightly separated makes each one feel cozier.